Bentler makes first court appearance

The man accused accused of shooting his five-member family to death last weekend made his first court appearance Tuesday..

Shawn Bentler appeared in the Van Buren County courtroom Tuesday to formally face charges for killing his parents and three teenage sisters early Saturday morning at their Bonaparte home. The 22-year-old sat emotionless in the courtroom, dressed in an orange jumpsuit with shackles at his wrists and ankles, as more than 15 family members watched, listened and mourned. As the judge read each charge, Bentler closed his eyes, as sobs in the courtroom grew louder.

During Tuesday morning’s initial appearance, the judge maintained Bentler’s bond of $2.5 million cash-only and appointed David Sallen of Fort Madison as his attorney. A preliminary hearing was set for October 26.